Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs from damage to the eye’s optic nerve and can often lead to loss of vision and blindness. To detect glaucoma, our highly trained doctors will perform a proper screening to determine severity, examine the damage, and help you manage your glaucoma.

Early detection of glaucoma is crucial in preventing vision loss and blindness; the earlier the better. However, there is no official cure for glaucoma. There are several treatment methods that manage, slow down, or halt the process. Treatment for glaucoma will vary depending on the stage and severity of each individual patient.

There are many types of glaucoma and not all types exhibit symptoms, making regular screenings and examinations even more important. Open-angle glaucoma is often characterized by tunnel vision (more common in advanced stages) and patchy blind spots (in one or both eyes) in the peripheral or central vision. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is characterized by severe headaches, eye pain, eye redness, halos around lights, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. Again, not all patients will exhibit warning signs and symptoms, but those patients who do experience symptoms should notify their doctor immediately to receive prompt treatment.

It is believed that glaucoma is the result of increased pressure in the eye causing damage to the optic nerve. When left untreated, the nerve continues to deteriorate causing blind spots in the patient’s vision.

Those who tend to be at a higher risk for glaucoma include those who:

• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Are over the age of 60
• Are black, Asian, or Hispanic
• Have high intraocular pressure
• Have been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease,
• Sickle Cell anemia, or high blood pressure
• Are extremely farsighted or nearsighted
• Are taking corticosteroid medications for an extended period of time
• Have thin corneas
• Have experienced an eye injury or have undergone eye surgery